Fruits of Vitex doniana sweet: toxicity profile, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and quantification of one of its bioactive constituents oleanolic acid

Abstract

Background: Vitex doniana Sweet fruit, an under-utilised crop specie of Ghana, has not been validated for its ethnomedical use in managing inflammatory conditions. Therefore, the study sought to investigate its antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities as well as isolate and quantify one of its active constituents. Materials and methods: In-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol fruit extract was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced oedema model in chicks. The in-vitro antioxidant property was also investigated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The acute and subacute toxicity studies of the fruit extract were evaluated in rodent models. Results: No signs of autonomic and central nervous system stimulation/depression were recorded. The LD 50 by oral route, was estimated to be beyond 3000 mg/kg. Subacute studies revealed an increase in red blood cell and lymphocyte counts. Liver enzymes, serum proteins and bilirubin levels did not significantly increase. The crude extracts at doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg inhibited paw oedema considerably. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC 50 ¼ 99.35 AE 0.77 μg/mL). Oleanolic acid, isolated from the ethyl acetate extract, showed significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method for the detection and estimation of oleanolic acid, as a biomarker compound for V. doniana fruit, was developed and validated for quality assurance purposes. Conclusion:The extract of V. doniana fruits possesses considerable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and was non-toxic under laboratory conditions.

Toxicological profile, phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory properties of leaves of Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)

“…This anti-inflammatory mechanism of the bioactive fraction could be explained by the up-regulation of COX-2 and the inhibition of prostaglandin and nitric oxide synthesis [ 40 ]. These results corroborate previous findings of the good anti-inflammatory activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of V. doniana [ 8 ]. In this study, a formalin test was also performed to assess whether the action of V. doniana EAF is central or peripheral.…”

“…Indeed, some studies shown that phytochemical analysis of the different parts of the plant extract revealed the presence of saponin, tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes [ 48 ]. Thus, ethyl acetate fractionation (EAF) contributes to an optimisation of the chemical profile (phenolic, flavonoids), antioxidants and correlates positively with anti-inflammatory activity [ 8 ]. Such phytonutrient aggregate would be an excellent nutraceutical against inflammation.…”

“…Vitex doniana (V. doniana) is a perennial forest plant widely distributed in tropical West Africa. In ethnomedicine, the leaves of V. doniana are used in the treatment of stomach and rheumatic pain, inflammatory disorders, diarrhea and dysentery [ 8 ]. According to recent literature, this Verbenaceae is an alicament for the forest and dry savannah regions of West and Central Africa.…”

“…In addition, the bark of the plant's stem has antibacterial properties [ 12 ]. In Burkina Faso, V. doniana Sweet., is a food plant used to treat inflammatory diseases and certains cancers [ 8 ]. Some studies show that phytochemical analysis of the different parts of the plant extract revealed the presence of certain secondary metabolites such as: saponin, tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes as well as a high concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and sulfur [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Bioactive triterpenoids from Solanum torvum fruits with antifungal, resistance modulatory and anti-biofilm formation activities against fluconazole-resistant candida albicans strains

“…Sub-fraction F5B was also column chromatographed on sephadex LH-20 using CHCl 3 : MeOH (1:1) as the eluent to give compound 3 (0.94 g, 0.035%). Compound 4 (0.75 g, 0.028%) was obtained after subjecting sub-fraction F5C to column chromatography on sephadex LH-20 using CHCl 3 : MeOH (1:1) as the eluent [ 29 ].…”